How do you "crab" an aircraft in a crosswind after touchdown?

Question

After I touchdown, I use full rudder either left or right [depending on the wind direction] and centre it when the nose starts to become aligned with the centreline on the runway. However, in most cases, the nose happens to kick back in the other direction after I centre the rudder; this causes my aircraft's nose wheel to touch down misaligned and the plane loses its line with the runway. I have to correct the aircraft again; however, I know that this is not the proper [nor the recommended] way to align the plane with the runway after touchdown~

To MALIBU CANYON:
With all due respect, sounds like you need to read the question properly. I didn't mention ANYTHING about taxiing; however, I take your point on your definition of "crabbing" an aircraft~

Answer 1

It's best to crab until just before you approach the threshold of the runway then transition to a side-slip approach. In a sideslip, you use the rudder to align the nose with the runway center line while using the aileron to dip the wing into the wind so that your sideways motion relative to the ground is zero. You will touch down with your upwind main gear first, downwind main gear second, and nose gear last. (cross-control, opposite rudder and aileron.) You could technically sideslip the entire final leg but this produces a generally uncomfortable sensation being that you are actually "skidding" the aircraft through the air.

Any flight instructor can (and should) teach this technique.

Answer 2

Are you using flight simulator? No real aircraft acts this way if it has a steerable nose wheel. Park your aircraft with the gear turned right or left. Ride the tail down until all weight is off the nose wheel and it will straighten out by itself.
When the nose gear is not touching the ground, it has an internal alignment device that keeps it pointing straight ahead. The rudder has no effect when the strut is extended.
Once the nose wheel touches down the built in alignment mechanism inside disengages, you will have to add rudder into the wind, and put the upwind aileron up.

Answer 3

OK...
We will say the wind is from the right....You approach the runway in a crab with the nose facing right into the wind (a forward slip) you remain aligned with the runway by rudder control...Just before you touch down you use rudder to bring the plane back facing straight down the runway and lower the right wing (a side slip)...In extreme wind conditions you will land on your right wheel only but as you slow the left will make contact with the runway...Remember to keep the nose wheel up...Reduce flaps as soon as you can to put the weight of the plane on the ground and maintain directional control by using your rudder and keep the windward wing down into the wind as you roll out

Answer 4

in the B-52, crosswinds are a breeze. While the aircraft is crabbing in the wind, the landing gear stay aligned with the runway via the ILS signals. then after touching down, the buff can stay crabbed while the gear track straight down the runway. and as you roll out straightening the aircraft, the gear turn with the aircraft so everything is all straight and clean by the time you turn off.

Answer 5

You don't "crab" on the ground. To "crab" is to fly with the longitudinal axis of the aircraft at an angle to your track. On the ground, your goal is to have the longitudinal axis aligned with the runway/taxiway centerline, not at an angle to it. With all due respect, sounds as if you need taxi practice.

Answer 6

Land on the upwind tire, with the nose aligned with the runway.

Answer 7

Once you touch down you just use the ailerons and use the rudder to keep the nose straight.

Answer 8

Sounds like you have a problem with your flight instructor. Talk this over with him right away. Maybe get some supplemental practice.

Unless you are itching to buy somebody a new wing and a new prop for their airplane.